The Heart Work of Foster Care: A Hopeful and Honest Guide to Foster Parenting is a compassionate and practical companion for anyone stepping into—or already walking—the foster care journey. Jeremy and Jara Walden, experienced foster and adoptive parents, mentors, and ministry leaders, offer real-life insight rooted in faith, humility, and hard-earned wisdom. With warmth and honesty, they share personal stories of heartbreak and healing, missteps and miracles—from the unexpected challenges of school systems and navigating birth family relationships to the impact foster care has had on their marriage and biological children. They speak candidly about what it means to say “yes,” when to say “no,” and how to keep your heart open while protecting your family’s well-being. This book doesn’t just tell you what to expect—it walks beside you through it. You’ll find practical tips, honest reflections, and Christ-centered encouragement to help you endure the hard days and celebrate the sacred ones. The Heart Work of Foster Care reminds us that while the path may be messy, it is also deeply meaningful. The hard work of foster care is heart work: caring deeply, trusting decisively, loving deliberately.